U.S. patent number 6,780,045 [Application Number 10/091,898] was granted by the patent office on 2004-08-24 for connector position assurance device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tyco Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to John Wesley Hall, Jr., John Mark Myer, John R. Shuey.
United States Patent |
6,780,045 |
Shuey , et al. |
August 24, 2004 |
Connector position assurance device
Abstract
An electrical connector assembly is provided including a CPA, a
first connector housing, a second connector housing, a retention
assembly, a second retention feature, and a CPA mounting assembly.
The CPA includes a retention assembly locking element and a CPA
retention element. A retention assembly is mounted to the first
connector housing to maintain the first and second connector
housings in contact when they are mated. The retention assembly
includes a first retention feature, a CPA retention feature, and a
locking contact surface, and is movable between a locked and
unlocked position. The first connector housing also has a CPA
mounting assembly mounted thereto. The CPA is slidably mounted to
the CPA mounting assembly and is movable to first and second
positions. In its first position, the CPA permits engagement of the
first and second connector housings. In its second position, the
CPA prevents engagement and disengagement of the first and second
connector housings.
Inventors: |
Shuey; John R. (Mechanicsburg,
PA), Hall, Jr.; John Wesley (Harrisburg, PA), Myer; John
Mark (Millersville, PA) |
Assignee: |
Tyco Electronics Corporation
(Middletown, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
29214380 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/091,898 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/489;
439/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/6272 (20130101); H01R 13/641 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/641 (20060101); H01R 13/64 (20060101); H01R
13/627 (20060101); H01R 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/489,352,358,350,353,357 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 721 234 |
|
Jul 1996 |
|
EP |
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0 848 456 |
|
Jun 1998 |
|
EP |
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1 096 616 |
|
May 2001 |
|
EP |
|
Primary Examiner: Gilman; Alex
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a connector
position assurance device (CPA) including a first beam including a
retention assembly locking element and a second beam including a
CPA retention element; first and second connector housings, one of
said first and second connector housings having a body section with
a mating interface on one end thereof and the other of said first
and second connector housings having an opening to receive said
mating interface; a retention assembly mounted to said first
connector housing for securing said first and second connector
housings when said housings are fully mated, said retention
assembly including a first housing retention feature, arms, and a
cross-member joining said arms, said cross-member including a CPA
retention feature, and said arms including a locking contact
surface, said retention assembly being movable between locked and
unlocked positions; a second housing retention feature mounted to
said second connector housing, said second housing retention
feature cooperating with said first housing retention feature to
secure said first and second connector housings when said housings
are fully mated; and a CPA mounting assembly mounted to said first
connector housing, said CPA being slidably mounted to said CPA
mounting assembly and movable between first and second positions,
said CPA permitting biasing of said retention assembly and
engagement and disengagement of said first and second connector
housings when in said first position, said retention assembly
locking element underlying said locking contact surface to prevent
said retention assembly from moving to said unlocked position when
said CPA is in said second position, whereby said CPA prevents
engagement and disengagement of said first and second connector
housings when in said second position, said CPA retention element
cooperating with said CPA retention feature to maintain said CPA in
said second position.
2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said
retention assembly locking element includes a raised surface, said
retention assembly locking element extending from said CPA to a
raised surface, and said retention assembly includes first and
second surfaces, said first surface including said locking contact
surface, said first surface being located proximal to said raised
surface when said CPA is in said second position and contacting
said raised surface when said retention assembly is biased toward
said unlocked position when said CPA is in said second position,
said second surface being located proximal to said raised surface
when said CPA is in said first position and not contacting said
raised surface when said retention assembly is in said unlocked
position and said CPA is in said first position.
3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said
retention assembly includes a retention member with first and
second retention member surfaces, said first retention member
surface including said first housing retention feature, said second
retention member surface including said CPA retention feature.
4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said
retention assembly includes a blocking surface which contacts said
CPA and prevents said CPA from being moved from said first position
to said second position when said CPA is unbiased, and said second
housing retention feature includes a CPA contacting surface that
contacts and biases a portion of said CPA such that said CPA may be
advanced from said first position to said second position when said
first and second connector housings are mated and said CPA is in
said first position.
5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said CPA
includes a CPA finger rest and said retention assembly includes a
retention assembly finger rest, said CPA finger rest at least
partially surrounding said retention assembly finger rest when said
CPA is in said second position.
6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said CPA
includes sides and said CPA mounting assembly is a slot that
slidably accepts said CPA sides.
7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 6 wherein said sides
include side retention features and said slot includes slot
retention features, said side retention features and said slot
retention features cooperating to maintain said CPA in said
slot.
8. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a connector
position assurance device (CPA) including a said CPA includes a
retaining CPA beam and at least one locking CPA beam, a latch
locking element extending from said at least one locking CPA beam
and a CPA retention element extending from said retaining CPA beam;
a plug housing having a body section with a mating interface on one
end thereof; a header housing having an opening to receive said
mating interface; a latch assembly mounted to said plug housing for
maintaining contact between said plug and header housings when
mated, said latch assembly including a retention feature, latch
arms and a cross-member, said latch arms extending from a latch
base and joined by said cross-member proximal to their free ends,
said cross-member including a CPA retention feature, and said latch
arms including a locking contact surface, said latch assembly being
movable between latched and unlatched positions; a latch retention
assembly mounted to said header housing and including a latch
retention surface, said latch retention surface cooperating with
said retention feature to maintain contact between said plug and
header housings when said housings are mated; and a CPA mounting
assembly mounted to said plug housing, said CPA being slidably
mounted to said CPA mounting assembly and movable to unmated and
mated positions, a portion of said latch assembly exposed through a
top surface of said plug housing in each of the mated and unmated
positions, said CPA permitting movement of said latch assembly to
said unlatched position and thereby permitting engagement and
disengagement of said plug and header housings when in said unmated
position, said latch locking element cooperating with said locking
contact surface to prevent said latch assembly from moving to said
unlatched position when said CPA is in said mated position, whereby
said CPA prevents engagement and disengagement of said plug and
header housings when in said mated position, said CPA retention
element cooperating with said CPA retention feature to maintain
said CPA in said mated position.
9. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8 wherein said latch
locking element includes a raised surface, said latch locking
element extending from said CPA to said raised surface, and said
latch assembly includes an interfering surface and a clearance
surface, said interfering surface being substantially parallel to
said raised surface when said latch assembly is in said latched
position and contacting said raised surface when said latch
assembly is biased toward said unlatched position when said CPA is
in said mated position, said clearance surface being sloped
relative to said raised surface when said latch assembly is in said
latched position and not contacting said raised surface when said
latch assembly is in said unlatched position and said CPA is in
said unmated position.
10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8 wherein said latch
assembly includes a retention member with first and second
retention member surfaces, said first retention member surface
including said retention feature, said second retention member
surface including said CPA retention feature.
11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8 wherein said latch
assembly includes a blocking surface which contacts said CPA and
prevents said CPA from being moved from said unmated position to
said mated position when said CPA is unbiased, and said header
housing includes a CPA contacting surface that contacts and biases
a portion of said CPA such that said CPA may be advanced from said
unmated position to said mated position when said plug and header
housings are mated and said CPA is in said unmated position.
12. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8 wherein said CPA
includes sides and said CPA mounting assembly is a slot that
slidably accepts said CPA sides.
13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 9 wherein said CPA
includes a CPA finger rest and said latch assembly includes a latch
assembly finger rest, said CPA finger rest at least partially
surrounding said latch assembly finger rest when said CPA is in
said mated position.
14. An electrical connector half assembly comprising: a connector
position assurance device (CPA) including a first CPA beam and a
second CPA beam, said first beam including retention assembly
locking element and said second beam including a CPA retention
element; a connector housing adapted for mating with a mating
connector housing; a retention assembly mounted to said connector
housing for securing said connector housing to a mating connector
housing when fully mated, said retention assembly including arms, a
cross-member joining said arms, and a housing retention feature,
said cross-member including a CPA retention feature, and said arms
including a locking contact surface, said retention assembly being
movable between locked and unlocked positions; and a CPA mounting
assembly mounted to said connector housing, said CPA being slidably
mounted to said CPA mounting assembly and movable between first and
second positions wherein a portion of said latch assembly is
exposed, said CPA permitting biasing of said retention assembly
when in said first position, said retention assembly locking
element underlying said locking contact surface to prevent said
retention assembly from moving to said unlocked position when said
CPA is in said second position, said CPA retention element
cooperating with said CPA retention feature to maintain said CPA in
said second position.
15. The electrical connector half assembly of claim 14 wherein said
retention assembly locking element includes a raised surface, said
retention assembly locking element extending from said CPA to a
raised surface, and said retention assembly includes first and
second surfaces, said first surface including said locking contact
surface, said first surface being located proximal to said raised
surface when said CPA is in said second position and contacting
said raised surface when said retention assembly is biased toward
said unlocked position when said CPA is in said second position,
said second surface being located proximal to said raised surface
when said CPA is in said first position and not contacting said
raised surface when said retention assembly is in said unlocked
position and said CPA is in said first position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a
connector position assurance device (CPA) for use with electrical
connector housings, and an electrical connector system having a
connector position assurance device.
Electrical connectors have been proposed that utilize a latch or
retention assembly to maintain connector halves in a fully mated
position, along with a CPA. When the connector halves are mated and
the latch or retention assembly is positioned to maintain contact
between the connector halves, the CPA is moved to a position that
indicates the connector halves are properly connected. Thus, the
CPA provides a means to assure that the connector halves are fully
mated.
It is advantageous to add the use of a CPA to an existing connector
half that was originally designed for use without a CPA.
Conventional connector assemblies utilizing CPAs, however, feature
connector halves that were both designed for use with CPAs, so
conventional connector halves utilizing CPAs cannot conveniently be
retrofitted to mate with existing connector halves. Additionally,
it is desirable to have an interchangeable connector half that may
be used interchangeably with both a mating connector half in a
connector assembly utilizing a CPA and a different mating connector
half in a connector assembly without a CPA, wherein the
interchangeable connector half is manufactured as simply and
economically as possible.
Also, conventional connector assemblies using CPAs and latches can
suffer from other drawbacks. For example, the CPA may inadvertently
advance to a position indicating the connector halves are mated
when the connector halves are separated. The CPA may also not be
secured in position when the connector halves are mated.
A connector is needed with an improved CPA and connector half
configuration that overcomes the above-noted and other
disadvantages of conventional connectors.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
At least one embodiment of the present invention is provided
including an electrical connector assembly comprising a connector
position assurance device (CPA), a first connector housing, a
second connector housing, a retention assembly, a second retention
feature, and a CPA mounting assembly. The CPA includes a retention
assembly locking element and a CPA retention element. One of the
first and second connector housings has a body section with a
mating interface on one end, and the other connector housing has an
opening to receive the mating interface. A retention assembly is
mounted to the first connector housing to maintain the first and
second connector housings in contact when they are mated. The
retention assembly includes a first housing retention feature, a
CPA retention feature, and a locking contact surface. The retention
assembly is movable between locked and unlocked positions. A second
housing retention feature is mounted to the second connector
housing. The second housing retention feature cooperates with the
first housing retention feature to maintain contact between the
first and second connector housing when they are mated.
The first connector housing has a CPA mounting assembly mounted
thereto. The CPA is slidably mounted to the CPA mounting assembly
and is movable to first and second positions. In its first
position, the CPA permits biasing of the retention assembly and
engagement and disengagement of the first and second connector
housings. When the CPA is in the second position, the retention
assembly locking element cooperates with the locking contact
surface to prevent the retention assembly from moving to the
unlocked position, thus preventing engagement and disengagement of
the first and second connector housings. The CPA retention element
cooperates with the CPA retention feature to maintain the CPA in
the second position.
Additionally, the CPA may include a first CPA beam and at least one
second CPA beam, and the retention assembly may include arms and a
cross-member joining the arms. The first CPA beam includes the CPA
retention element, and the second CPA beam includes the retention
assembly locking element. The arms include the locking contact
surface, and the cross-member includes the CPA retention feature.
Optionally, the retention assembly may include a retention member
with first and second retention member surfaces. The first
retention member surface includes the first retention feature. The
second retention member surface includes the CPA retention
feature.
At least one embodiment of the present invention provides an
electrical connector comprising a CPA, a plug housing, a header
housing, a latch assembly, a latch retention assembly, and a CPA
mounting assembly. The CPA includes a latch locking element and a
CPA retention element. The plug housing has a body section with a
mating interface on one end, and the header housing includes walls
defining an opening to receive the mating interface.
A latch assembly is mounted to the plug housing for maintaining the
housings in contact when mated. The latch assembly includes a
retention feature, a CPA retention feature, and a locking contact
surface. The latch assembly is movable between latched and
unlatched positions. A latch retention assembly is mounted to the
header housing, and includes a latch retention surface. The latch
retention surface cooperates with the retention feature to prevent
the separation of the plug and header housings when they are mated
and the latch is in the latched position.
A CPA mounting assembly is mounted to the plug housing. The CPA is
slidably mounted to the CPA mounting assembly and is movable to
unmated and mated positions. In the unmated position, the CPA
permits deflection of the latch assembly and engagement and
disengagement of the plug and header housings. When the CPA is in
the mated position, the latch locking element cooperates with the
locking contact surface to prevent the latch assembly from moving
to the unlatched position, thereby preventing engagement and
disengagement of the plug and header housings. The CPA retention
element cooperates with the CPA retention feature to maintain the
CPA in the mated position.
Optionally, the latch locking element may include a raised surface,
and the latch assembly may include an interfering surface and a
clearance surface. The interfering surface is substantially
parallel to the raised surface when the latch assembly is in the
latched position, and the interfering surface contacts the raised
surface when the latch assembly is biased toward the unlatched
position and the CPA is in the mated position. The clearance
surface is sloped relative to the raised surface when the latch
assembly is in the latched position, and does not contact the
raised surface when the latch assembly is in the unlatched position
and the CPA is in the unmated position.
At least one embodiment of the present invention provides an
electrical connector half assembly including a CPA and a connector
housing. The CPA includes a retention assembly locking element and
a CPA retention element. A retention assembly is mounted to the
connector housing. The retention assembly includes a housing
retention feature, a CPA retention feature, and a locking contact
surface. The retention assembly is movable between locked and
unlocked positions. A CPA mounting assembly is mounted to the
connector housing, and the CPA is slidably mounted to the CPA
mounting assembly and movable between first and second positions.
The CPA permits biasing of the retention assembly when in the first
position. The retention assembly locking element cooperates with
the locking contact surface to prevent the retention assembly from
moving to the unlocked position when the CPA is in the second
position. The CPA retention element cooperates with the CPA
retention feature to maintain the CPA in the second position.
Certain embodiments of the present invention thus provide a CPA and
connector housing for electrical connectors. The CPA, in addition
to providing position assurance, allows a CPA to be used with a
connector half not originally designed for use with a CPA. The CPA
is prevented from inadvertently advancing to a position indicating
the connector halves are mated when the connector halves are
separated. The CPA is also secured in position when the connector
halves are mated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a connector assembly with a
CPA in the unmated position formed in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a connector assembly with a
CPA in the mated position formed in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a header housing used in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a front isometric view of a plug housing formed
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a rear isometric view of a plug housing formed
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of a CPA formed in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 1
of a mated connector assembly with the CPA in the unmated position
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 2
of a mated connector assembly with the CPA in the mated position in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention,
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the
appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,
there is shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently
preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a connector assembly 20.
The connector assembly 20 comprises a header housing 22, a plug
housing 24, and a connector position assurance device (CPA) 26. In
FIG. 1, the header housing 22 and plug housing 24 are shown mated,
and the CPA 26 is in the unmated position. FIG. 2 illustrates an
isometric view of the connector assembly 20 with the header housing
22 and the plug housing 24 mated, and the CPA 26 in the mated
position.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the header housing 22. The
header housing 22 includes a front end 30, a rear end 32, a top
portion 34, a bottom portion 36, and walls 38. The walls 38 join
the top portion 34 and the bottom portion 36 with an opening 40
being defined by the interior surfaces of the walls 38 at the front
end 30 of the header housing 22. The opening 40 receives the mating
interface of the plug housing 24. Towards the rear end 32 of the
header housing 22, the opening 40 includes apertures 42 designed to
hold pins (not shown) that meet contacts within the plug housing 24
when the header housing 22 and plug housing 24 are mated, providing
electrical communication therebetween. A wire harness (not shown)
may be connected to the header housing 22 proximal to the rear end
32. The illustrated header housing 22 is an existing model that was
designed for use without a CPA.
Further, the header housing 22 includes a latch retention bump 44.
The latch retention bump 44 extends downward from the interior top
surface of the top portion 34 of the header housing 22 proximal to
the front end 30 and comprises a sloped surface 46, a flat surface
48, and a retention surface 50. The sloped surface 46 extends
generally downward from the top portion 34 and back toward the rear
end 32. The sloped surface 46 terminates at the flat surface 48
leading to the retention surface 50. The retention surface 50
extends downward generally perpendicularly from the top portion 34
and faces the rear end 32.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate isometric views of the plug housing 24.
The plug housing 24 includes a front end 60, a rear end 62, a top
portion 64, a bottom portion 66, and sides 68. The sides 68 join
the top portion 64 and the bottom portion 66. The plug housing 24
includes a mating interface 70 proximal to the front end 60. The
mating interface 70 includes receptacles 72 that correspond in
alignment to the apertures 42 in the rear end 32 of the header
housing 22, and hold contacts (not shown) that electrically connect
with the pins of the header housing 22 when the header housing 22
and plug housing 24 are mated. A wire harness (not shown) may be
mounted proximal to the rear end 62 of the plug housing 24.
As shown in FIG. 5, the top portion 64 of the plug housing 22
includes side rails 73 that include slots 74 facing one another.
The slots 74 begin proximal to the rear end 62 of the plug housing
22 and extend into the plug housing 22. The slots 74 include slot
protrusions 76, slot sides 84, and shelves 86. The slot sides 84
are located proximal to the interior surface of the sides 68. The
slot protrusions 76 extend from the slot sides 84 and each comprise
a protrusion sloped surface 78, a protrusion flat surface 80, and a
protrusion retaining surface 82. The protrusion sloped surface 78
extends generally away from the slot side 84 and toward the front
end 60 of the plug housing 24. The protrusion sloped surface 78
terminates at the protrusion flat surface 80 extending
substantially parallel to the slot side 84 and toward the front end
60 of the plug housing 24. The protrusion retaining surface 82
extends substantially perpendicularly away from the slot side 84
and meets the protrusion flat surface 80. The shelves 86 extend
substantially perpendicularly from the bottom of the slot sides 84.
The slot 74 is sized and configured to accept the CPA 26, and the
slot protrusions 76 help maintain the CPA 26 inside the slot 74
after the CPA 26 is mounted in the slot 74.
The plug housing 24 also includes a latch assembly 88. As shown in
FIG. 4, the latch assembly 88 includes latch beams 90, a
cross-member 100, and a latch finger rest 112. The latch assembly
88 cooperates with the latch retention bump 44 of the header
housing 22 to maintain the header housing 22 and the plug housing
24 in contact after they are mated.
The illustrated embodiment of the plug housing 24 includes two
latch beams 90 located symmetrically about the central axis of the
plug housing 24. The latch beams 90 each comprise a base 92 and an
arm 94. The base 92 is located proximal to the front end 60 and the
top portion 64. The arm 94 extends away from the base 92 to a latch
beam free end 95 located toward the rear end 62 of the plug housing
24. The latch arms 94 may be deflected under an imposed force, the
largest deflection being at the latch beam free end 95. Each arm 94
includes a bottom surface 96 and a bottom sloped surface 98. The
bottom surface 96 is substantially parallel to the slot 74 (FIG. 5)
(when the latch assembly 88 is unbiased) and located nearer to the
top portion 64 than the top of the slot 74. Proximal to the latch
beam free end 95, the bottom surface 96 terminates, meeting the
bottom sloped surface 98. The bottom sloped surface 98 extends
toward the latch beam free end 95 and toward the top portion 64
from the bottom surface 96.
As shown in FIG. 4, the cross-member 100 joins the arms 94 at an
intermediate position along the length of the arms 94. The
cross-member 100 includes a first sloped surface 102, a second
sloped surface 104, a top surface 106, a bottom surface 107, and a
retention surface 108. The first sloped surface 102 slopes toward
the top portion 66 and the rear end 62 of the plug housing 24, and
is used to facilitate biasing of the latch assembly 88 during
mating by cooperating with the sloped surface 46 of the latch
retention bump 44. The second sloped surface 104 extends toward the
bottom portion 66 and the rear end 62 from the point where the
first sloped surface 102 and the second sloped surface 104 join.
The second sloped surface 104 is used to help maintain the CPA 26
in the mated position. The top surface 104 extends toward the rear
end 62 substantially parallel to the bottom surface 96 from the
point where the top surface 104 meets the first sloped surface 102.
Towards the latch beam free end 95, the retention surface 108
extends from the top surface 106 substantially perpendicular to the
top surface 106. The opening 110 extends through the top surface
106 proximal to the retention surface 108. The retention surface
108 cooperates with the retention surface 50 of the latch retention
bump 44 (FIG. 3) to maintain the header housing 22 and the plug
housing 24 in contact. The bottom surface 107 joins the second
sloped surface 104 and the retention surface 108, and is
substantially parallel to the top surface 106.
The latch finger rest 112 is mounted to the latch assembly 88
proximate to the latch beam free end 95. The latch finger rest 112
is used to manually bias the latch assembly 88 to the unlatched
position to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the header
housing 22 and the plug housing 24. Locating the latch finger rest
112 at the latch beam free end 95 provides the greatest mechanical
advantage for deflecting the latch beams 90 about bases 92.
FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the CPA 26. The CPA 26
includes a front end 120 and a back end 122. The CPA further
includes a body 123, a center beam 124, side beams 134, and a CPA
finger rest 154. The body 123 is located proximal to the back end
122 of the CPA 26. The center beam 124 extends from the body 123 to
the center beam free end 127. Proximal to the center beam free end
127, the center beam 124 includes a CPA bump 126. The CPA bump
includes a front surface 128, a top surface 130, and a back surface
132. The front surface 128 extends from the top surface of the
center beam 124. The top surface 130 is joined to the front surface
128 and extends from the point where it joins the front surface 128
away from the center beam free end 127 substantially parallel to
the top surface of the center beam 124. The back surface 132
extends from the top surface 130 towards the top surface of the
center beam 124 and at a small angle away from the center beam free
end 127.
The side beams 134 extend from the body 123 on either side of the
center beam 124 toward their side beam free ends 135. The side
beams 134 each include a top surface 136, a side 137, a bottom
surface 138, a leading surface 140, a side flat surface 142, a side
retention surface 144, a necked-down portion 146, and a pad 149.
The top surface 136 and the bottom surface 138 are substantially
parallel to each other and joined by the side 137 on the exterior
of the CPA 26. The side 137 and the side flat surface 142 are
configured to be slidably accepted by the slot 74.
The leading surface 140 of each side beam 134 begins proximate to
the side beam free end 135, is substantially perpendicular to the
top surface 136 and the bottom surface 138, and extends generally
away from the side beam free end 135 and toward the outside of the
CPA 26. The leading surface 140 ends at the side flat surface 142.
The side flat surface 142 extends from the leading surface 140 away
from the side beam free end 135, and is substantially coplanar with
the side 137. The side retention surface 144 extends substantially
perpendicularly from the side flat surface 142 toward the inside of
the CPA 26. The side retention surface 144 cooperates with the slot
protrusion 76 to maintain the CPA 26 in the slot 74.
The necked-down portion 146 extends from the side retention surface
144 away from the side beam free end 135. The necked-down portion
146 includes a necked-down side 147 and a necked-down sloped
surface 148. The necked-down side 147 extends from the side
retention surface 144 substantially parallel to the side until it
terminates at the necked-down sloped surface 148. The necked-down
sloped surface 148 extends from the necked-down side to join the
side 137. The necked-down portion 146 is sized to provide clearance
from the slot protrusion 76 when the CPA 26 is moved between the
mated and unmated positions.
Each pad 149 includes a pad top surface 150 and pad sides 152. The
pad sides 152 extend substantially perpendicularly from the top
surface 136 of the side beam 134 to a raised surface, the pad top
surface 150. The pad top surface 150 is substantially parallel to
the top surface 136 of the side beam 134. The pad 149 cooperates
with the bottom surface 96 to prevent the latch assembly 88 from
deflecting to the unlatched position when the CPA 26 is in the
mated position, thereby maintaining contact between the header
housing 22 and the plug housing 24.
The CPA finger rest 154 is located proximal to the back end 122 of
the CPA 26 and includes a back 156, sides 158, and a finger rest
opening 160. The back 156 and sides 158 together define a
"C"-shaped finger rest opening 160. The finger rest opening 160 is
sized to accept the latch finger rest 112 when the CPA 26 is moved
to the mated position. The CPA finger rest 154 is used by an
operator to move the CPA 26 between the mated and unmated
positions.
The plug housing 24 includes features required for the use of the
CPA 26, and the plug housing 24 and CPA 26 can be used with the
existing header housing 22. This allows the connector assembly 20
to utilize a CPA 26 while including the header housing 22 which was
originally designed without the CPA 26 in mind. Thus, the plug
housing 24 and CPA 26 can be used to upgrade existing header
housings to accommodate the use of the CPA 26. This also allows for
a single header design to be economically used in both CPA and
non-CPA applications.
Sliding the front end 120 of the CPA 26 into the slot 74 proximal
to the rear end 62 of the plug housing 24 mounts the CPA 26 in the
plug housing 24. The slot sides 84 slidably accept the sides 137
and the side flat surfaces 142 of the CPA 26. As the CPA 26
advances into the slot 74, the leading surface 140 of each side
beam 134 encounters the protrusion sloped surface 78 of the slot
protrusion 76. The bottom surfaces 138 of the side beams 134 rest
on the shelves 86. Further advancement of the CPA 26 causes the
leading surface 140 to slide against the protrusion sloped surface
78, thereby biasing the side beam free end 135 inward, away from
the slot side 84. As the CPA 26 is still further advanced, the side
flat surface 142 of the side beam 134 slides against the protrusion
flat surface 80 until the side retention surface 144 is past the
protrusion flat surface 80. At this point, the side beam 134
returns to its unbiased orientation, and, if removal of the CPA 26
is attempted, an interference between the side retention surface
144 of the side beam 134 and the protrusion retaining surface 82
prevents removal of the CPA 26 from the plug housing 24.
With the CPA 26 located in the plug housing 24 with the side
retention surface 144 just past the protrusion flat surface 80, the
front surface 128 of the CPA bump 126 is located slightly more
toward the rear end 62 of the plug housing 24 than the retention
surface 108 of the cross member 100. This position is the unmated
position. An interference between the front surface 128 and the
retention surface 108 prevents further advancement of the CPA 26
toward the front end 60 of the plug housing 24 from the mated
position. To further advance the CPA 26, the center beam free end
127 of the CPA 26 must be biased so that the front surface 128 can
clear the retention surface 108. Thus, the CPA 26 is prevented from
inadvertent movement from the unmated position, which would
interfere with the mating of the header housing 22 and the plug
housing 24.
To mate the header housing 22 and the plug housing 24, the housings
are oriented with their respective front ends 30, 60 facing each
other, and the housings are then urged toward each other. As the
housings are brought together, the mating interface 70 of the plug
housing 24 is accepted by the opening 40 of the header housing 22.
As the mating interface 70 further enters the opening 40, the first
sloped surface 102 of the cross member 100 will encounter the
sloped surface 46 of the latch retention bump 44. As the first
sloped surface 102 slides against the sloped surface 46, the latch
assembly 88 will be biased from its substantially horizontal
position as the latch beam free end 95 will be deflected toward the
bottom portion 66 of the plug housing 24.
Further urging together of the housings will result in the first
sloped surface 102 sliding past the sloped surface 46, and the top
surface 106 of the cross-member 100 will contact and slide along
the flat surface 48 of the latch retention bump 44. When the latch
assembly 88 is biased such that the top surface 106 is as near or
nearer to the bottom portion 66 as the flat surface 48 is, the
header housing 22 and plug housing 24 may be engaged and
disengaged. This is known as the unlatched, or unlocked,
position.
Once the top surface 106 has passed the flat surface 48, the latch
assembly 88 will return to its original position, and the latch
beam 90 will no longer be deflected. This is referred to as the
latched, or locked position. With the cross-member 100 now nearer
the rear end 32 of the header housing 22 than the latch retention
bump 44 is and the latch assembly 88 in the latched position, the
retention surface 108 of the cross-member 100 and the retention
surface 50 of the latch retention bump 44 now face each other and
cooperate to form an interference preventing separation of the
header housing 22 and the plug housing 24.
Simultaneous to the unbiasing of the latch assembly 88 as the top
surface 106 and flat surface 48 pass each other, the flat surface
48 of the latch retention bump will contact the top surface 130 of
the CPA bump 126. This contact will bias the center beam 124 of the
CPA 26 by deflecting the center beam free end 127 down toward the
bottom portion 66. The latch retention bump 44, cross-member 100,
and CPA bump 126 are configured to allow this deflection to bias
the center beam 124 such that the front surface 128 can clear the
retention surface 108 and the CPA 26 can be moved from the unmated
position.
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG.
1, and shows the header housing 22 mated to the plug housing 24
with the CPA 26 in the unmated position. In FIG. 7, the
interference between the latch retention bump 44 and the CPA bump
126 is illustrated; in practice, the center beam free end 127 would
be deflected downward toward the bottom portion 66, and the top
surface 130 of the CPA bump 126 would be contacting the flat
surface 48 of the latch retention bump 44. Thus, as indicated
above, the CPA 26 may be advanced toward the rear end 32 of the
header housing 22 and into the mated position.
With the CPA 26 in the unmated position as shown in FIG. 7, only
the bottom sloped surface 98, and not the bottom surface 96 of the
latch beam 90 are immediately above the pad 149. A downward force
may be exerted on the latch finger rest 112 to bias the latch
assembly 88. As the latch beam 90 is deflected downward, the bottom
sloped surface 98 will approach the pad top surface 150, but the
latch assembly 88 will enter the unlatched position before the
bottom sloped surface 98 and the pad top surface 150 make contact.
Thus, the housings may be unmated with the CPA 26 in the unmated
position. Further, the pad 149 and bottom sloped surface 98 may be
sized so that they contact soon after the latch assembly 88 is past
the unlatched position, thereby minimizing any excess, unnecessary
deflection of the latch assembly 88 that could result in damage or
breakage. To advance the CPA 26 to the mated position, an operator
exerts a force on the CPA finger rest 154 urging the CPA toward the
rear end 32 of the header housing 22 (put another way, toward the
front end 60 of the plug housing 24). As the CPA 26 advances from
the unmated position, the top surface 130 of the CPA bump 126 will
slide past the flat surface 48 of the latch retention bump 44, and
then across the bottom surface 107 of the cross-member 100. Once
the CPA 26 has advanced such that the top surface 130 has slid past
the bottom surface 107, the center beam 124 will return to its
unbiased position, and the CPA 26 will be in the mated
position.
FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG.
2, and shows the header housing 22 mated to the plug housing 24
with the CPA 26 advanced to the mated position. With the CPA 26 in
the mated position, a portion of the bottom surface 96 of the latch
beam 90 is directly above a portion of the pad top surface 150.
Thus, if the a downward force is applied to the latch finger rest
112, the bottom surface 96 will approach the pad top surface 150.
The bottom surface 96 will contact the pad top surface 150 before
the latch assembly 88 has reached the unlatched position. Because
the shelves 86 (FIG. 5) support the CPA 26, the contact between the
bottom surface 96 and the pad top surface 150 will prevent further
biasing of the latch assembly 88. Thus, with the CPA 26 in the
mated position, the latch assembly 88 cannot be moved to the
unlatched position, and the housings will be maintained in contact.
When the CPA 26 is in the mated position, the CPA finger rest
opening 160 has advanced to partially surround the latch finger
rest 112, making accessing the latch finger rest 112 via a finger
or thumb more difficult. Thus, the CPA 26 provides a visual and
tactile cue that the housings are mated and the latch assembly 88
cannot be moved to the unlatched position.
If an attempt is made to move the CPA 26 from the mated position of
FIG. 8 to the unmated position, the back surface 132 of the CPA
bump 126 will encounter the second sloped surface 104 of the
cross-member 100. The resulting interference will resist the
movement toward the unmated position. This resistance prevents
inadvertent movement of the CPA 26 from the mated to the unmated
position. The back surface 132 and second sloped surface 104 are
configured, however, to provide a slight leading angle such that
they may slide against each other if an intentional force is
applied by an operator to the CPA finger rest 154, and the CPA 26
may be moved to the unmated position prior to unmating of the
housings.
To separate the housings, the CPA 26 is moved to the unmated
position, and a downward force is applied to the latch finger rest
112, biasing the latch assembly 88 to the unlatched position. With
the CPA 26 in the unmated position and the latch assembly 88 in the
unlatched position, the header housing 22 and the plug housing 24
may now be separated.
While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the
present invention have been shown and described, it will be
understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto
since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art,
particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, the
plug and header housings could be reversed, with, for example, the
CPA mounted to the header housing. It is therefore contemplated by
the appended claims to cover such modifications as incorporate
those features which come within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *